Mixed
age
The vast majority of our classes are mixed age classes, designed for children
from birth through four years of age and their adult caregivers. Our teachers
have excellent early childhood and music skills and will lead you in rhythmic
chants, songs, small and large movement, dance, and instrumental jam sessions.
Each family receives one of our nine song collection's songbook, cd, and
parent guide for all newcomers. Adults learn how to identify and interpret
musical responses and to nurture their children’s musical development.
Infant
A one semester class that new moms may opt to take to introduce them and
their babies under 9 months to the Music Together® program. Participants
will be led by the most experienced of our staff members, and may enjoy
songs, rhythmic chants, instrument play, dance, small and large movement.
Caregivers learn how babies develop musically and how best to nurture that
development. A wonderful opportunity for moms to communicate with their
babies in the preverbal stages.
Each family receives a baby song collection songbook and cd.
Food
and Drink
We ask our families to please leave your food and drink at home or to have
it outside of the classroom.
Guests
Families may on special occasions bring a guest with them to class with
prior permission from the director. Please call to make sure there is space
available in the class ahead of time.
It is not necessary to obtain permission to bring another caregiver or adult
family member to class. Additional caregivers and adult family members are
always welcome.
It is only necessary if you wish to bring another child and their caregiver
to participate.
Make-up
Classes
Make-up classes are offered on a space available basis and must be taken
within the current ten week session. Make-ups may not be carried over to
the next semester. To schedule one, please visit our Online
Make-up system. Your instructor will give you your password.
Talking
in Class
Our children have all day every day to hear us talk. But they just have
this 45 minutes to hear us sing! While we understand and appreciate the
value of moms connecting and making friends in our classes, and know that
it is a natural inclination to want to talk during class or between songs,
we ask that you try to keep the talking to a bare minimum and save socializing
for after class.
The class environment which will most benefit your child musically is one
where they are immersed in the music without distractions.
Safety
Music Together is unique in the fact that the children in our classes do
not have to do anything! They can fall asleep or crawl or move around;-as
long as it is safe behavior it is perfectly acceptable.
So we don’t have many rules in South Coast Music Together, but we
do have just a few that we ask you to help us enforce. With your cooperation
we will create together a most safe and harmonious classroom environment.
1) No running in the classroom.
It is perfectly fine if your child decides to move around during class, and in fact may be a natural part of their learning process to do so. However, we ask that they use their “walking feet” and not run.
2) No throwing.
Children have many opportunities to explore instruments in our classes. We ask you to help us see that they are treated gently and never to throw them in the air.
3) No rough-housing.
Music Together is about family music. And in a family we are not all the same age or the same size. We ask that everyone treat each other gently and to be especially respectful of the little ones in our classes.
4) Children must sit inside the circle or the gates and may not sit outside of the gates to watch class.
We ask that your children are within each caregiver’s sight and within their reach during our classes for the harmony and well being of all participants.
Please do not attempt to step over a gate with a child in your arms.
We hope that everyone will be on time for our classes, and in fact we hope you'll come a little early to settle in and enjoy listening to a little before-class music! It certainly will help your child to have the most relaxed and comfortable class experience!
However, we understand
that occasionally circumstances may keep people from arriving
before we close the gates.
For those classrooms where we use gates, even though it may look very easy
to do so, please never attempt to step over a gate with a child in your
arms.
Please open the gate by pressing down on one side and pulling up with the other, or first place your child inside the gate, and then place your hands on top of the gate for balance, while carefully stepping over to the inside.
Cell Phones
Please refrain from the use of cell phones during class. We understand that some parents may need to keep their phones with them in case of serious circumstances. However, if this is the case, please set your phone on VIBRATE, silence the ringer, and if you absolutely MUST take a call, please take it outside the classroom.
Cameras and videos
Please
no cameras or videos inside the classroom. While we understand adults
wanting to capture what we do on film, it becomes a distraction to
the class and takes the focus off of crucial adult caregiver role-modeling
for your children. It also places thought on "performance" rather than "participation",
and particpation rather than performance is the emphasis of our program!
If you would like to have a photo or video, we can stage a little bit
after class with the drum or a few instruments. Thank you for your
understanding and cooperation.
